Rich Goucher
Waterford Event on 7/29/17 A Big Hit!
The recent Waterford Event in July was well attended and a big hit with the crowd. The Mobile Museum was on hand along with a nice group of antique cars on display and running. NEAR also had an event on the same day up north at Speedway 51, N.H. The sharing and preservation of New England’s Racing History is alive and well at each track we visit!
All photos courtesy of Bill Henry
Monthly Board Meeting Announcement
Board Meeting 8/15/17 at 7:15 P.M.
Triple-A-Restaurant
1209 Main St
East Hartford, CT.
Topics will include the results of the HOF Selections for 2017 Class and planning for the 2017 HOF Banquet, among others.
Seekonk Speedway next up for NEAR racers on Saturday, August 12th, 2017
SEEKONK SPEEDWAY RUNNING EVENT 8/12/17
Racers can sign in starting at 1 p.m. for this running show.
The NEAR Mobile Museum will also be on display on the midway during the evening’s event. Always well attended, Seekonk is a favorite destination during the hot dog days of August. Bring the family down to see some great antique car and regular track series racing!
2 Events for NEAR on Saturday, July 29th, 2017
Waterford Speedbowl
Rte. 85, Waterford, Ct.
Saturday, July 29th, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. finds the southern New England contingent of NEAR gathering for both a static and running event. The NEAR Hall of Fame Truck will also be in attendance. Waterford always runs a fine, fun filled event, with many fans perusing all the cars on display. Come on down for a great day!
Speedway 51
78 Craggy Road, Groveton, N.H.
Saturday, July 29th at 3:00 p.m. finds the Northern New England contingent of NEAR participating in a running show at Speedway 51 in New Hampshire. Always a good time to be had with the fans from up north, make this show if you are in the area.
Remembering Danbury Racearena at Bethel Motor Speedway
Ev Pierce Memorial 50 lapper -7/15/17
Sponsored by LaJoie Wrecking/Auto Parts
Article by Jim Torok
Photos courtesy of Bill Henry
Promoter Mike Hager of the Bethel Motor Speedway presented a program entitled ‘Remembering Danbury’ on Saturday, July 15th, 2017.
With a great deal of effort and research Mike noted the history of EV Pierce, a racer who called Danbury his home track till 1981 when the Racearena closed. EV raced with the Southern New York Racing Association (SNYRA) and was fourth on the total number victories list when this very competitive track closed. EV also raced at Bethel Speedway when the beloved Danbury closed. The side bar on the Bethel Speedway website noted all Ev’s accomplishments while racing from 1948 into the 1990’s. (Go to the Bethel Motor Speedway website it is really worth the read)
Present for the festivity was Charter member of the SNYRA and EV’s fellow racer Nick Giardina who, along with his wife Betty, served as Co-Grand Marshalls for the evenings events. Don Lajoie donated prize money for the extra distance event for the Modified racers as well as the trophy. Many members of EV’s family were present to enjoy the event.
In the name of Lajoie Wrecking and Auto Parts the 50 lap EV Pierce memorial race was run. The winner in a closely contested modified feature was Culhane who completed an outside pass to win after running wheel to wheel for over 25 laps with Cote.
Taking to the track as part of the celebration was former Danbury racer Art Knapp in his # 40 ford Pinto. Representing New England Antique Racers (NEAR) were George Cleveland in the 1950 ford business coupe 5X, Jim Torok was in the 04 Pinto of Danbury racer Corky Cookman, and Alan Benincaso was behind the controls of the # 42 Pinto which his dad Carmine campaigned at Danbury.
Harry Hansen, a former Danbury racer, was on hand as vintage announcer for the evening. Harry, who is very active with the Danbury Reunion every year, was able to tell the history of the cars as they appeared on the track. Harry knows the history of each car and the present day driver, which added a very personal touch for the many Danbury folks who were in the stands. Danbury Racearena shirts from the numerous years that the reunion has been held were visible in abundance in the spectator areas.
Available for sale were Danbury Racearena shirts and programs from the previous years. Thank you to all the committee members!
On static display was the completely restored # 73 Harmon Roofing 1934 Ford coupe powered by the traditional Danbury ‘Flathead V – 8.
Thank you NEAR members for making the trip to this family friendly ¼ mile track in rural New York.Huge thanks to the Promoter Mike Hager, Don Lajoie, as well as those individuals who worked behind the scenes to honor EV Pierce and make this trip down memory lane possible.
Tom Curley, NEAR Hall of Famer, Northeast Racing Pioneer, passes at 73
Longtime Thunder Road Speedbowl co-owner and promoter Tom Curley died last Friday following complications from a lengthy illness. He was 73 years old.
A pioneer for his sport of auto racing, Curley was involved in local and regional competition for most of his adult life. After spending considerable time at Thunder Road as a spectator and driver in the 1960s, he became the NASCAR Northeast regional director in 1978, and a year later created the NASCAR North Tour. He and Thunder Road founder Ken Squier then acquired the track in 1982 from former owner Tommy Kalomiris, a news release from ACT stated.
Though his health had declined in recent years, Curley continued to be a presence at Thunder Road. He and Squier had recently completed the sale of the track prior to his passing. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
After leaving NASCAR, Curley created the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) sanctioning body in 1986. Under Curley’s leadership, Thunder Road and ACT became household names for racers and fans throughout the Northeast, making the Barre high banks one of the most popular auto racing destinations in the region. Among his many accomplishments, he helped relaunch the famed Flying Tiger division that has competed since 1982, and created the ACT Late Model rules package used at Thunder Road and numerous other tracks.
Racing Promotion Monthly named Curley the North American Promoter of the Year in 2004. He also received the Lowes Motor Speedway National Short Track Promoter of the Year Award in 2003 and the Trackside Magazine Promoter of the Year Award in 1992. Curley was inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2009. Thoughts from the entire NEAR community are with Tom’s family.
Obituary courtesy of the Burlington Free Press
Summer Knights Car Show-1st NEAR Event of 2017
SUNDAY, APRIL 30TH, 2017 SAW THE MEMBERS OF NEAR PARTICIPATE IN THE SUMMER KNIGHTS CAR SHOW AT THE BERLIN FAIR FACILITY IN CT. A BANNER CROWD WAS ON HAND, ALONG WITH A FINE SELECTION OF HOT RODS, DRAG CARS, STREET SLEEPERS, AND RACE CARS. ANGIE BULLOCK AND BILL KEMP HAD THE BEAUTIFUL 88 COUPE AND THEIR NEW DESPERADO RACING “LAMBORGHINI” GOLF CART ON HAND. THE COUPE LATER WON A TROPHY, AS DID THE #19 PINTO OF TOM MACIAG. ALSO IN ATTENDANCE WERE THE 7NY OF JIM WILLIAMS, THE #5 OF GEORGE CLEVELAND, AND THE #53 VEGA OF STEVE ZUKOWSKI. PLENTY OF NEAR MEMBERS WERE ALSO THERE HELPING DISPLAY THE HALL OF FAME TRUCK AND RECALLING GOOD TIMES FROM LONG AGO. THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME OUT, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TROPHY WINNERS!
NEAR Club invited to “Remembering Danbury Racearena ” Night at Bethel Speedway on July 15th, 2017
Speedway Promoter/Race Controller Mike Hager has announced a special event at the Bethel Motor Speedway. Bethel is a fast 1/4 mile slightly banked asphalt track located at 361 Horseshoe Lake Road, Bethel, New York 12783.
On Saturday, July 15th, they will be holding a “Remembering Danbury Racearena Night”. A full racing program is on tap including SK Lights, 3/4 Midgets(ATQMRA), Vintage TQ’s, Dirt Sportsmans, INEX Legends, INEX Bandoleros, and topped off by by the 50 Lap BMS Modified “Ev Pierce Memorial Race.” Ev Pierce was a long time competitor and track champion at the Danbury Racearena. He will be honored that night.
Mr. Hager would like to highlight The NEAR Club with a 12 lap exhibition Feature (pre-intermission, daytime) along with a 15 lap exhibition Feature (post intermission/nightime). Both winners can enjoy Victory Lane. Ample time for practice will also be provided in the afternoon, rotating with the other racing classes. Any cars wishing to set up a static display will be welcome in the grandstands. The track also hopes to see former Danbury drivers, officials, crewmembers, and fans to participate with any photo collections, memorabilia, etc.
Come early, as the gate opens at 3 PM. For more information you can contact Mike Hager at (914)522-7375 or the track at (845)319-7908.
Please support this event, as well as White Mountain on June 3 in Woodstock NH
Additional event added to the NEAR schedule for June 17, 2017!
Mark’s Classic Cruise has invited New England Antique Racers to their Second Annual Big E Auto Expo.
This event takes place on the grounds of the Big E in West Springfield MA. on Saturday June 17, 2017. The rain date is Sunday June 18 2017, if necessary.
There will be no fee for NEAR member cars and folks riding in with the car. Trailer parking will be free. You must be at the gate to enter at 8 A.M. to avail yourself of this opportunity.
A pre – registration is required a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the event. Please contact Bob Talbot, the gentleman who is making this show available to us. His phone number is (413) 862 3381, or email him at rtal@AOL.com
Bob was at our March meeting to discuss the offer and promote the event. Mark’s Classic cruise is the longest weekly cruise in New England. Check out his website at markscruisenight@yahoo.com for pictures and a summary of last years event. This event is very deserving of our club’s support.
See you there!